As Emma, Noah, and Ethan walked, a thick silence hung in the air. The fair buzzed around them, but all she could think about was the tension between the two boys. Suddenly, they passed an ice cream stand.

"Hey, Emma, do you want ice cream?" Noah asked, his eyes lighting up.

"I..." Emma started, but Ethan cut her off.

"I'm her boyfriend, not you. I should be the one buying for her," Ethan said, his voice firm.

"No way! I should buy her ice cream!" Noah shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Guys, can you stop? I don't want anyone to buy me ice cream. I can get it myself," Emma said, frustration bubbling up as she turned and walked toward the ice cream seller.

"Hi! Can I have three ice creams, please?" she asked, trying to shake off the awkwardness.

"Sure!" the seller replied, handing her the cones. "Here you go!"

"Thanks," Emma said, reaching for her wallet.

"That'll be $60.45," the seller said.

"Okay," Emma said, pulling out the cash, her mind racing with thoughts of the boys.

_____

Then the mood shifted sharply. Ethan's voice dropped, filled with menace. "If you don't want to regret this, stop meeting her," he warned Noah, glaring.

Noah laughed, a cocky grin on his face. "You're such a loser. Do you really think she could ever love you?"

"Shut up," Ethan growled, stepping closer, fists clenched.

"Make me," Noah taunted, not backing down.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "You know she can't like you, so you better watch your move."

"Let's see about that," Noah replied, confidence oozing from him.

"What do you mean?" Ethan shot back, confusion creeping in.

"If she kisses you within three days, I won't bother you two anymore," Noah proposed, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Deal," Ethan said, shaking Noah's hand, determination in his voice.

"Deal," Noah echoed, sealing their ridiculous agreement.

______

Emma approached ice creams in hand. "Here's your ice cream," she said, handing Ethan his cone. "And here's yours, Noah."

"Thanks, babe," Ethan said, a grin spreading across his face.

Emma licked her ice cream but froze at his words. 

"Babe?" she thought, her heart racing. 

What did he just call me?

"What?" she asked, turning to Ethan, confusion swirling inside her.

"You heard it. Want me to say it again?" Ethan teased, his smile playful but sincere.

"No, she doesn't want to," Noah interjected, jealousy dripping from his words.

"Who asked you? It's her choice," Ethan shot back, still grinning.

"I think I should go," Emma said suddenly, feeling overwhelmed. She didn't want to be caught in their rivalry.

"Wait!" Noah called, rushing after her. "Is everything okay? Are you mad at him?" His concern was genuine, eyes searching hers.

Emma stayed silent, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions.

Noah smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "If you're mad at him, just leave him," he suggested, hoping to ease the tension.

Then Emma heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Ethan sprinting toward her, breathless. "Hey," he said, sincerity shining in his eyes as he walked beside her.

"Okay, guys," Emma said, stopping in front of her house. "This is my place. Thanks for walking with me," she added, smiling.

"No problem," both boys replied, glancing at each other with a hint of rivalry.

Emma turned to open her front door, and as she looked back, she saw them waving, smiles on their faces. She waved back, feeling a mix of warmth and confusion, before stepping inside.

____

Ethan and Noah exchanged glances, then walked in opposite directions, tension still hanging in the air.

____

"Mom, I'm home!" Emma called, her voice brightening the dim hallway.

"Come here, dear! I baked your favorite cookies!" her mom shouted from the kitchen.

"Coming!" Emma replied, her heart lifting as she made her way to the kitchen. She hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks for always making my day better."

"Sit here; I'll bring them over," her mom said, smiling as she moved to the oven.

Emma watched as her mom pulled the cookies out, the warm, sweet aroma filling the room. Her mom placed them on the dining table. "Here, dear! I hope you love them."

"They look amazing, Mom! Thanks!" Emma said, her mouth watering.

"Don't thank me yet; thank me later," her mom replied, grinning. Emma took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "Mmm, it's so good, Mom!" she exclaimed, taking another bite.

"I know," her mom laughed, joy radiating from her. Emma felt a wave of happiness wash over her, grateful for this moment. After finishing her cookies, she headed to her room, plopping down on her bed and opening her phone.

A message from Ethan popped up: "Do you think we should have fun tomorrow like we did today?"

"Sure! Where should we hang out?" Emma texted back.

"I'll pick you up at 6," Ethan replied. Just as she was about to respond, another message came in from Noah: "Hey Emma, I thought maybe we could hang out tomorrow at 6. I hope you'll come."

Emma stared at her phone, torn. What should I do? She placed her phone on the table next to her bed and lay back, her mind racing with thoughts.

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. Emma stayed silent, pretending to be asleep. Her mom entered, turning off the light and kissing her cheek gently. "Good night," she whispered with a smile before leaving the room. Emma let out a sigh, feeling the weight of her choices, and soon drifted off to sleep.

_____

The next morning, Emma woke up, took a quick bath, brushed her teeth, and slipped into her school uniform. She headed downstairs, the smell of breakfast wafting through the air.

"Breakfast is ready!" her mom called.

"I think I should pass," Emma replied, not feeling hungry.

"You have to eat, or else you won't focus," her mom insisted.

"It's going to be late. Love you, Mom! I have to go!" Emma said, giving her mom a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing out the door.

As she walked to the bus stop, she spotted Jake there with his bike.

"Hey, skinny! You're early today," he said, his usual teasing tone lightening the mood.

"Yeah, I know," Emma said, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Noah and Ethan.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked, noticing her distracted expression.

"Just tired," Emma replied, glancing at the road, waiting for the bus. But then something caught her eye, and she was surprised by what she saw ethan was coming to her 

______

"He's coming," Jake said, glancing down the street.

"I can see that," Emma replied, her heart racing as Ethan approached.

"What are you doing here?" Emma asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

"That's how you treat your boyfriend?" Ethan teased, a playful smirk on his face.

Emma fell silent, her gaze dropping to the ground as she struggled to find the right words.

"Okay, for your answer," Ethan continued, catching her off guard. She quickly looked up at him. "I came here to pick you up. I didn't get your answer in the text, so it must be your phone battery that died," he said, smiling.

It's not like that, Ethan. It's just that Noah asked the same thing, and I can't choose.

"Yeah," Emma said, lying, when suddenly someone called her name.

"Emma!" a voice rang out. She turned to see Noah running toward her.

"Hey!" Noah said, his face brightening.

"Hey," Emma replied, feeling the tension rise again.

"So, have you thought about hanging out with me at 6?" Noah asked, his eyes hopeful.

"Uh..." Emma stammered, searching for words, but they felt stuck on her tongue.

"What's at 6?" Ethan interjected, his brow furrowing. "What's happening, Emma? I thought we were going to hang out at 6," he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

"I was about to tell you that," Emma started, but just then, the bus pulled up.

Thank God, the bus saved me.

"I have to go before the bus leaves!" she exclaimed, walking quickly toward it.

Ethan and Noah exchanged tense glances.

"You'll never make it," Noah said, smirking.

"Watch your mouth," Ethan shot back, fists clenching.

"See and learn. Today she's hanging out with me, and I'll sit with her on the bus," Noah declared confidently.

As the bus doors began to close, both boys sprinted forward, desperate to sit with her. When Emma stepped inside, she found her best friend Lily already seated beside her. There were only two empty seats left, right next to each other.

"This is the worst day. I'm going to sit with the loser," Noah muttered, frustration evident in his voice.

"Who are you talking to? You better shut up before I beat you up," Ethan retorted, glaring at him.

"Students, the bus is about to move! Please sit down or get out!" the bus driver barked.

Reluctantly, they ended up sitting together, tension crackling between them.

______

"Hey, bestie!" Lily greeted cheerfully.

"Hey," Emma replied, grateful for her friend's presence.

"How was your day?" Lily asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity

"I don't know; I'm really confused," Emma admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Confused?" Lily echoed, raising an eyebrow.

 "Yeah, I don't know who to go with," Emma said, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, concern etched on her face. Emma fell silent, unsure of how to explain.

"You know, if you're feeling anything bad, I'm here to help. Please, just tell me," Lily urged gently, placing a reassuring hand on Emma's shoulder.

Emma took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her choices pressing down on her. She appreciated Lily's support but felt torn inside.